Dell's attempt to trademark the term "cloud computing" faced another setback last week after the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office sent the company a "non-final" refusal of its application.

The PTO informed Dell on August 12 that its registration of the trademark for the term "cloud computing" was refused because "the applied-for mark merely describes a feature and characteristic of applicant's services...In addition to being merely descriptive, the applied-for mark appears to be generic in connection with the identified services and, therefore, incapable of functioning as a source-identifier for applicant's services."

Although the term has been deemed too generic, Dell has six months to submit evidence or arguments in response to the PTO's decision before it is made final.

The PTO initially indicated Dell would receive the trademark on July 8 but revoked its decision on August 7.

Discuss: Dell refused 'cloud computing' trademark

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